Have you ever had a famine in your life? Maybe not an actual famine, but a spiritual, emotional, physical, or relational one? Have you ever felt bitter? Have you ever felt so much sorrow that you just want to be alone? Or, have you ever seen people who believe that they would be better off if they were not around? Isolation can be a tool of Satan that leads to even more trouble and sorrow.
Yet, can a person in trouble still be a blessing to others? Absolutely. I have seen people in times of trouble deepen their faith by aiming to continue to help others. I have seen people’s faith strengthened when they moved from focusing on their own concerns to giving of themselves to others, for Jesus’ sake.
And that is what we will find this week as we begin a new sermon series on the book of Ruth. If our bitterness is dealt with in a healthy way, it can actually lead to healing for us (and others). In the midst of her bitterness, Naiomi said, “May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me.” (Ruth 1:8) In the midst of her troubles, Naomi still found the faith to wrestle with God and ask him to bless her daughters-in-law.
Today you may find yourself questioning God and even wrestling with Him. In this kind of struggle, I invite you to hear Naomi’s trust in God and her blessing of others. She knew that her daughters-in-law had suffered as well, yet she did not add to their suffering. In the midst of a tearful separation, she prayed for them. Naomi was on a journey of faith—one in which her tears accompanied her walk with God.
May God use us in our journey of faith, and may He bring healing to our hearts and lives. If you (or anyone you know) could use this healing, this new series would be a great one to invite someone to. I look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Aaron
Yet, can a person in trouble still be a blessing to others? Absolutely. I have seen people in times of trouble deepen their faith by aiming to continue to help others. I have seen people’s faith strengthened when they moved from focusing on their own concerns to giving of themselves to others, for Jesus’ sake.
And that is what we will find this week as we begin a new sermon series on the book of Ruth. If our bitterness is dealt with in a healthy way, it can actually lead to healing for us (and others). In the midst of her bitterness, Naiomi said, “May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me.” (Ruth 1:8) In the midst of her troubles, Naomi still found the faith to wrestle with God and ask him to bless her daughters-in-law.
Today you may find yourself questioning God and even wrestling with Him. In this kind of struggle, I invite you to hear Naomi’s trust in God and her blessing of others. She knew that her daughters-in-law had suffered as well, yet she did not add to their suffering. In the midst of a tearful separation, she prayed for them. Naomi was on a journey of faith—one in which her tears accompanied her walk with God.
May God use us in our journey of faith, and may He bring healing to our hearts and lives. If you (or anyone you know) could use this healing, this new series would be a great one to invite someone to. I look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Aaron
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